65 Kenyan students head to Beijing on Chinese scholarship

At least 19 Kenyans are set to leave for further studies at various universities in China this week.

The number brings to 65 the total number of Kenyans who have benefited from the scholarships this year.

Of the beneficiaries, 46 are already in China, according to disclosures by Zhang Zhizhong, Minister Counselor of the Chinese Embassy in Kenya.

Higher Education PS Beatrice Inyangala led the farewell ceremony for the 2024 cohort of scholarship beneficiaries on Thursday.

She said the government was grateful to China for supporting the education of Kenyan students by offering scholarships.

“We urge the students to step forward and grab every opportunity that comes by. University education is critical to realize improved productivity and spur socioeconomic development,” the PS said.

She said the support was a testimony of the 60-year ties between Beijing and Nairobi.

“I am gratified that our bilateral relations stretch 60 years. This shows that China is a friend we can rely on.”

This year’s scholarships have been awarded at various levels of studies from Bachelors degree, Masters and PhD.

“This adds to the number of Kenyans who have had this opportunity. This is a clear indication of the strong alliance enjoyed by the two nations,” PS Inyangala added.

“We appreciate China for augmenting our efforts and helping the government bridge the gap.”

“We hope we will continue to benefit through your (students’) contribution that will be nurtured through this scholarship not only in education but in other spheres of development,” the PS said.

More than 2,000 students have been sent to China under the government scholarship programme.

Counselor Zhang said they hope the scholarship awardees “are not only witneses and beneficiaries but will also be contributors and promoters for the progress of China-Kenya and China-Africa friendship.”.

“We are happy to see that the previous scholarship students, after studying in China, have returned to Kenya and are shining in their respective fields.”

“They are playing important roles for economic and social development of Kenya and promoting mutual understanding between Chinese and Kenyan people,” Counselor Zhang said.

Since 2013, hundreds of students have been to China to learn how to be train drivers, engineers under the Belt and Road Initiative.

Henry Rotich, the chairperson of the Kenya-China Alumni Association, urged the students to go the extra mile and make Kenya proud.

“We have alumnus all over world and they are contributing towards culture and economic development across the world including leading initiatives that drive technology innovation as well as social activities,” he said.

He added, “Everywhere in Kenya an alumni is working for a Chinese company.”

“Immerse yourself in your studies, embrace culture and come back with knowledge to build our country. You will be agents of change,” he said.

The students are leaving the country at a time China is hosting a huge summit of African leaders, where education scholarships is among issues that will be deliberated upon.

They spoke at the farewell reception for the Chinese Government Scholarship Kenyan Students and Awards Ceremony of China-Africa Cooperation in my Eyes.

Wynn Rajula, who is heading to Chengdu for a PhD in Business Administration, said the scholarships were awarded after a series of ‘thorough interviews’.

“It has been quite a journey...we applied through ministry of education did interviews at Nyayo House, did another interview at the embassy. After selection we did interviews with schools, finding supervisor and proceeding to the visa center,” she said.

The sponsor said they hope the scholarship awardees will be contributors and promoters of Kenya-China friendship.